Shia facing court for plagiarisim

Shia LaBeouf could face legal action for plagiarism over his short film Howard Cantour.com

According to the New York Daily News, the Transformers actor could be taken to court for his "blatant" borrowing of artist Daniel Clowe’s work, without proper credit.

LaBeouf’s project, which debuted online on Monday, tells the story of a troubled internet film critic, and is extremely similar to a 2007 graphic novella by Clowes called Justin M. Damiano.

While Clowes has declined to comment, his publisher Eric Reynolds claims the artist is "exploring his legal options".

Reynolds said: "LaBeouf changed the name of the main character, but he used the comic as a direct script and storyboard. Clowes has a real melodramatic voice that is very idiosyncratic and LaBeouf just used the dialogue word for word. There is no ambiguity.

"There is no way that anybody wrote this but Dan Clowes. It just defies any kind of logic or good sense. This was so blatant and inexcusable that it was as baffling as it was appalling."

LaBeouf has since apologised for plagiarising Clowes’ work, and has admitted he is "embarrassed".

He wrote on Twitter: "Copying isn’t particularly creative work. Being inspired by someone else’s idea to produce something new and different IS creative work.

"In my excitement and naivete as an amateur filmmaker, I got lost in the creative process and neglected to follow proper accreditation.

"I’m embarrassed that I failed to credit @danielclowes for his original graphic novella Justin M. Damiano, which served as my inspiration.

"I was truly moved by his piece of work & I knew that it would make a poignant & relevant short. I apologize to all who assumed I wrote it. I deeply regret the manner in which these events have unfolded. (sic)"

The short film has since been pulled off the net.